NIPOST slaps $80 customs duty on Nigeria-to-U.S. shipments amid new United States policy

Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has introduced a mandatory $80 (approximately N122,400) prepaid customs duty for all international postal shipments from Nigeria to the United States, effective August 29, 2025.

The announcement was made by NIPOST’s Director of Corporate Communications, Ibrahim Musa, in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja.

The new fee aligns with a U.S. Executive Order suspending duty-free exemptions for global postal shipments.

“All non-document items, such as parcels and packages headed to the U.S., will now incur a fixed $80 charge, payable by customers at any Nigerian postal outlet,” Musa explained.

He clarified that while the duty is imposed by the U.S. government, NIPOST is tasked with its collection.

The policy, which applies to postal operators worldwide, is expected to impact logistics significantly.

“This new charge, coupled with stricter customs inspections in the U.S., may lead to longer transit and processing times,” the statement noted. NIPOST also highlighted that international cargo carriers are adopting cautious measures, further affecting delivery timelines.

To address potential disruptions, NIPOST is collaborating with global partners.

“We are working closely with the Universal Postal Union and U.S. Customs and Border Protection to ensure smooth service delivery,” Musa assured customers, emphasizing NIPOST’s commitment to reliability despite the changes.